Children's Chorale

 Abi has a beautiful voice and did a great job at her choir concert!

We love Abi's choir director Miss Erika! She is absolutely wonderful!

Solar Eclipse!

 Taige

My kids were really excited for the Solar eclipse! 

 Kailan

We were very happy Kailan was able to get a pair of solar glasses to safely

view the solar eclipse!

 Chase

 Brooklyn

 Hallie

Abi was extremely excited and was also viewing the Solar eclipse

prior to her choir concert at a church downtown (they had to be there a couple

of hours early).

 I took this picture closing my eyes - maybe just one little squint through the lense!

 This picture was taken through the lens of the glasses.

This was the reflection on our fence.

Field Trip to Zion National Park

Madi & Kailan

Kailan went with her school, NPA, to Zion National Park.

On the way they stopped at Hoover Dam.

Hiking to Hidden Canyon

This is a hole between two rocks that we climbed up.  It actually went up really high!

These pictures are taken on the hike, Angel's Landing.

On this hike, we had to hold on to chains as we climbed steep sections

of the cliff.  It was very steep and narrow!

Lots of fun!

Carina, Madi & Kailan

This is the top of Angel's Landing looking down.

Another hike we did was called The Narrows.  I don't

have pictures of this hike because there were places that we

were neck deep in water! I forgot my water shoes so I did this

hike barefoot!

Dance trip to DISNEYLAND!

 Kailan with Britney Hebits

 Kailan went with her dance class from NPA to Disneyland and

California Adventures! Of course she had the time of her life! She

was able to participate in 2 different dance workshops while she was there.

Her favorite and "one of the best experiences of her life" was with the

Young Americans.

Ian, Kailan & Britney

Long Beach, CA

Isabelle's family moved to Long Beach, CA just this month! Kailan is so sad.  Isabelle has been one of Kailan's very best friends since moving to Flagstaff.  We will really miss having her around!

Kailan and Tyler were able to stay with Isabelle and her family while Cristine and I went to 2 different auctions representing 'Hughes Heavy'!

I didn't think I'd ever be able to pull Kailan away from Isabelle! Leaving is always so hard.  Especially when you're not sure when you'll be together again.

Tyler, Isabelle and Kailan

Kailan and Mom

Cristine and Tyler

Tyler and Kailan

Conversations with our 4 year old.....

Yesterday, Hallie pointed out to Mark that he has white hair and is getting old.  Then she started crying because she doesn't want him to get old and die.  She obviously continued to ponder it, because first thing this morning she came into my room and said, "I don't want daddy to get old!".
Today Hallie announced that Quinn Mickelson has a crush on her.  Mark asked her what that means.  Hallie said it means he likes me and follows me around everywhere!  Mark asked her if he needed to have a talk with Quinn.  Hallie said, 'No, I don't care that he has a crush on me'!  In past conversations she has let us know that she and Quinn are 'dating'.  We had to explain to her that she doesn't date before she's 16! She told us she was going to break up with him. 
This conversation just took place after church today.  On our drive home from church she was telling all of us that all she wants for her birthday is an Ipod touch with a Justin Bieber case and a cell phone with a Justin Bieber case with the ringer that sings, (at this point she breaks out into song), 'Baby, baby, baby, oh!' and also one that rings (singing), 'Never say never'! Of course both of these are Justin Bieber songs.  My 4 year old wants to be 16!

Tough Guy!

My brother Cody is a super tough, cool guy who is on the SWAT team down in the Phoenix/Mesa area.  Tonight he sent me this picture.  He was participating in a PR event.  He said some people thought he was clenching his teeth because it was going to hurt, but others realized he was growling and snarling/taunting the dog to encourage a good bite.  He ended up doing about 30 bites over several hours! I would have been absolutely terrified!